USA > Minnesota > Meeker County > Album of history and biography of Meeker County, Minnesota > Part 45
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present comfortable circumstances attest to this fact.
Our subject has taken an active interest in township matters and has been closely identi- fied with the official history of the town. He has held numerous local offices, including the following: Assessor, thirteen or fourteen years ; supervisor, one year ; school treasurer, three years; and justice of the peace, six years.
On the 31st of March, 1857, Mr. Leaming was married to Phebe W. Bryant, a daughter of Ambrose and Narcissa (Merrill) Bryant, and their marriage has been blessed with the following children-George A., born March 4, 1859; Ella J., born December 6, 1860; Curtis M., born January 22, 1866; Juliette, born February 26, 1868 ; and Clara B., born September 4, 1869. George A. is married to Annie A. Barrie, and lives on section 35. Ella J. married J. B. Tuttle, and they reside on section 20, Union Grove.
Mrs. Leaming was born in Kennebec county, Me. Her father was a blacksmith when a young man, but for a great many years before he left his native State was en- gaged in the mercantile business. In 1855 he came to Wright county, Minn., and en- gaged in farming, but has now retired and resides at Buffalo, Minn.
Mr. Leaming's father was a farmer. For a number of years he operated a pottery in connection with his farming operations, but later sold that and devoted his entire atten- tion to farming until the time of his death, in 1880. Mr. Leaming's mother now lives in Jasper county, Mo.
Mr. Leaming became a Mason when twenty-two years of age, joining, at St. Anthony's, Cataract Lodge, No. 2. A. F. & A. M. He is a man of the strictest integrity, and no one stands higher, or more fully holds the respect of the community, than he. A portrait of Mr. Leaming will be found else- where in this volume.
OHN W. JOHNSON, one of Litchfield's most enterprising dealers in farm ma- chinery, is a native of Skone, Sweden, born October 24, 1849, and is the son of Ole and Hannah (Ingeman) Johnson, also natives of Sweden. When he was but nine years of age, in 1857, he came to Meeker county with his parents, who were among the very first settlers in Litchfield township, and remained an inmate of the paternal home until he was about twenty years old. In his boyhood days John became quite an expert hunter and trapper, shooting his first deer when but eleven years of age. The next winter he and his father captured a full grown buck, which he succeeded in fully taming. One winter the profits on the furs he got brought about $500.
When he had nearly reached his majority, he commenced railroad work on the grade through this county, from Smith Lake to a point three miles west of where Litchfield now stands, as foreman of a gang of men. In 1869 he went to California, and remained on the Pacific slope, in that beautiful land of the sunset, for a year, after which he re- turned to his paternal home and rested for a short time. lle then entered the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and remained with them one season. His next venture was in having charge of the "Bonanza farm," of George L. Becker, of St Panl, now Railroad Commissioner, in Stevens county, for two years. Returning to Meeker county, Mr. Johnson then purchased a farm of 400 acres of land in the town of Darwin, 300 acres of which is under cultivation and has good buildings upon it. He lived there until 1886. when, leasing the place, he removed to Litchfield and entered upon his present busi- ness. IIe is one of the original members of the Swedish Temperance Association, and one of its most active members. Mr. John- son was elected a member of the village council, on the prohibition ticket, in April,
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1888. after a hard contest, and now occupies that position.
The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, March 29, 1874, with Miss Annie Pehrson, also a native of Sweden, born Jan- mary 14, 1854, and daughter of Peter Wilson and Bengta (Wilson) Pehrson, who were born in Sweden, but came to the United States in 1868.
DWARD H. MURPHY, a leading farm- er of Manannah township, living on section 34. is a native of Carrick-on-Sur, County Tipperary, Ireland, born July 5, 1830. He remained a resident of his down-trodden and oppressed native land until 1848, when he bade farewell to the Emerald Isle and crossed the sea to America. The first year he spent in Vermont, but with the beginning of the year 1849 he went to the coast and shipped on a United States hydrographic surveying cutter, but not being pleased with his treatment Jeft them at Boston. He fol- lowed railroading for a while in the East, but later coming West to Chillicothe, Ohio, he there carried on the butcher business for four years. The next six years were spent as foreman of a hemp warehouse. About the year 1854, he went to Louisiana, Mo., where he remained until the breaking out of the Rebellion. In the spring of 1861 Mr. Mur- phy enlisted in Company D), Henderson's Brigade, Missouri Infantry, for three months. At the expiration of that time he re-enlisted in Company D, First Missouri Infantry, a six-months' regiment, and participated in the siege and battle of Springfield, Mo. After this he enlisted in the First Missouri Infantry for three years, or the war. He was then detailed for secret service or espionage, and in that capacity penetrated the rebel lines and traveled throughont their country, often amid their armies, and always inenrring the
greatest danger, for death by hanging is the mildest penalty awarded a detected spy. Mr. Murphy was frequently arrested on sus- picion, and had many narrow escapes. A history of his adventures would prove in- teresting reading and would fill a volume. Ile was brought by the discharge of his duty into close contact with nearly all the general officers in the Western Army. The war over, he was discharged from the service with strong recommendations from most of the commanders of the Armies of the Tennessee, Cumberland and Ohio.
He was strongly persuaded by the mayor and others to remain in St. Louis as detective, but desiring to settle upon a farm, in 1865 came to Meeker county and took up a home- stead, where he now lives.
Our subject was married in Chillicothe, Ohio. May 10, 1852. to Miss Margaret Kin- sella, a native of County Waterford, Ire- land, who is the mother of two children - James, living at Montevideo, and Edward, at home.
EORGE B. WALLER, Jr., the engineer of the roller flouring mill, at Litehi- field, is a native of Franklin, Morgan county, Ill., born August 29, 1854, and is the son of George B. and Mary S. (Chestnut ) Waller.
Honorable George B. Waller, Sr., the father of our subject, was born in King and Queen county, Va, in 1804, and remained in that State until 1815, when he removed with his parents to Lexington, Ky., where he grew to manhood. Ile acquired a great pro- ficiency in the machinist's trade, which he had adopted in his youth, and was an able engineer. In 1833 he removed to Alton, Ill., and, during that year made a trip, as engineer of the boat Utility, to Fort Snelling. In 1836 he removed to Morgan county, Ill., where he followed his trade as machinist,
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and, while there, was united in marriage with Miss Mary S. Chestnut. He occupied a prominent position in that part of our country, representing his district in the lower honse of the Illinois Legislature, for one term. In 1867 he removed with his family to Minneapolis, where he resided for two years, and came to where Litch- field now stands in June, 1869. He had previously purchased the northeast quar ter of section 11, in Litchfield township. knowing that a town would be located in this vicinity, and, upon the railroad com- ing here, deeded an undivided one-half interest in 150 acres of his land to the railroad company to plat a town upon, and upon which a part of the original town- site was laid out in July, 1869. He shipped a house, which had been gotten out in Minneapolis, to this point as soon as the trains were running, and put up one of the first houses in the village, and moved his family here in November. Here he made his home until his death, which occurred July 18, 1878. Ile was a member of the Methodist Church, and a devout Christian, and said, while on his dying bed, that he had never uttered an oath in his life. He left. to mourn his loss, his widow and three sons and one daughter. The latter are as follows- John, now grain inspector, at Minneapolis ; Lizzie, Mrs. H. M. Miller, of Waverly, Ill .; Henry, of Litchfield, and George B., Jr., the subject of this sketch. The mother of the family, after residing here until 1884, re- turned to Morgan county, Ill., where she now lives.
George B., Jr., made his home with his parents until after his father's death, and the removal of his mother from this place. At the age of eighteen years he commenced his apprenticeship to the calling of engineer, which he now follows; and on the 1st of January, 1888, took charge of the engine of Shaw & Ehler's Roller Flouring Mill. He is
a member of Goldlen Fleece Lodge, No. 89, A. F. & A. M.
The marriage of George B. Waller, Jr., and Miss Etta Dowman, of Dassel, took place November 15, 1886.
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OHN JOHNSON, one of the most active and enterprising young business men of the village of Dassel. is engaged in the sale of agricultural machinery. IIe is Swedish by birth, and was born in 1853. His parents, Daniel and Bratta Johnson were natives, also, of Sweden, and came to the United States in 1871, with the natural desire to better their condition in life. The family settled on see- tion 2, Collinwood township, where they purchased land of the railroad company. Shortly after they got settled in their new home, and the affairs of the farm began to go along swimmingly, the subject of this sketch left the parental roof and found em- ployment with the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, and followed that line of business with varied success, off and on, for a period covering some six or seven years. Growing tired at last of that life Mr. Johnson finally abandoned it, and locating in the rising vil- lage of Dassel, the second important place in the county, entered into the farin implement business which he still carries on. In con- nection with this he is, also, the approved agent for sewing machines, and has a wide reputation in the vicinity for his honorable dealing.
Mr. Johnson was united in marriage, in September, 1876, with Miss Alice Forder, daughter of William and Mary Forder, of Collinwood. By this marriage there have been born three children-William R., Ben- jamin F. and John E.
Mr. Johnson has always manifested con- siderable interest in the discharge of his duties
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as a citizen, and, being elected town clerk in 1882, was re-elected by an approving constit- vency for several terms, serving five consecu- tive years. Ile is a member of the Cokato Lodge, No. 134, A. F. & A. M.
AARS. MARTHA BOWEN, late of Litchfield, was a descendant of the Puritans, who preferred the wilds of Amer- ica, its privations, toil and dangers, with free- dom to worship God, to comfort and luxury in a land where tyrants ruled. The progeni- tors of Mrs. Bowen were driven by religious persecution from England, and fled to Hol- Jand. As soon as practicable they returned to England, having decided to leave the Old World and its strife for the New World across the Atlantic wave. They sailed for Plymouth, Mass., in the vessel following the Mayflower. Mrs. Martha Bowen, daughter of Timothy and Ruth Wells Hatch, was born in Kent, Conn., December 14, 1783. The father of Mrs. Bowen was a brave soldier in the Revolutionary War. He loved God and freedom, and proved the soundness of his principles by warring against despotism.
As a specimen of the zeal of the family in the cause of liberty-when it was impossible to obtain sufficient firearms for the soldiers, the grandfather, Styles Wells, made a large number of iron flails and sent them to onr defenseless soldiers, bidding them, in God's name, use them bravely against the foes of our country. When the war was ended and peace declared, Timothy Hatch, father of Mrs. Bowen, left his home in Connecticut to build up a new home in the almost pathless wilds of New York. One hundred and five years ago there might have been seen in the wilderness of New York a father and his daughter with her wee babe, wending their way on horseback, then the only safe method of traveling in the unsettled country. That
father was accompanying his daughter to her husband and the new home prepared for her in " the West"-Central New York! The babe became Mrs. Bowen, the subject of this sketch. In Duanesburg our pioneer soldier lived until eight children surrounded the festal board. By frugality and industry, sufficient means had been accumulated to gratify the wish of the ambitious members of the family for a change. To Chenango county, N. Y., to the region afterward named Sherburne, the father removed. In this town, now noticeable for its beautiful homes, its fine residences and its costly pub- lic edifices, one could hardly imagine that not long ago bands of wild Indians roved at will; that the thick woodland almost shut out the light of the noonday sun and the light of the stars by night.
In a home where God was honored by par- ents and children, a home of much mature refinement and intellectual culture, in the sunshine of worldly prosperity, Martha Hatch was reared and grew into womanhood. In the eighteenth year of her age she married Luther Bowen, a gentleman from Litchfield, Conn., whose intelligence, integrity and zeal in every good work made him a fit compan- ion for the noble maiden. Mr. Bowen was for thirty years a merchant and engaged in various avocations which would have ab- sorbed the time and strength of a man less philanthropic and religious ; but in the whirl of busy life he found time to assist in laying well the foundations of the society in which his family moved. Nor were his efforts bounded by his own town : with the ever ready help of his wife, assistance was often rendered to poor, but promising young men and women to gain an education. The poor, friendless and suffering never called in vain upon his family for help. Six orphans at one time shared the fireside with the eight chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Bowen. Rare was the year when needy ones were not sheltered
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beneath the roof-tree. The ability to do good was, by the blessing of God, enlarged and continued down to the death of the hon- ored husband. In all the sad changes and bereavements of her life, Mrs. Bowen mani- ifested a fortitude founded upon a holy con- fidence in God. The purity and simplicity of her life was not changed by circumstances, only, as she drew nearer her final home. she seemed purified from earthly dross. In May, 1871, Mrs. Bowen came to Litchfield in com- pany with her son, M. D. Bowen, to make this town her home. Her extreme age did not lessen her interest in passing events. Iler memory down to the last days of her life was unimpaired. For seventy-five years Mrs. Bowen was a member of the church, where she was characterized by her energy and liberal zeal. She died in Litchfield, Jan- uary 19, 1876, in the ninety-third year of her age. Her long pilgrimage is ended; her crown is won.
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AICHAEL MURPHY. One of the large land owners and prosperous farmers of Kingston township, is the above gentleman, who lives upon section 28, where his house is surrounded by his fine farm of 640 aeres. Mr. Murphy is a native of County Kerry, Ireland, born January 6, 1835, and was reared among the beautiful scenery of that part of the lovely island, until about nineteen years of age, when he came to America, landing at Quebec, Can- ada. From there he made his way to Rut- land, Vt., where he spent eight years, in the stone and marble works, and from there came to Meeker county in May, 1862, in company with Daniel Byrnes, and has been a resident ever since.
Our subjeet was married, January 7, 1860, to Miss Catherine Clifford, who became the mother of eleven children, as follows-
William, Timothy, Morris, Julia, John, Ellen, Norah, Michael (died August 30, 1871), Joseph, Charles, and Dennis. Wil- liam is the only one married, the rest are living at home.
In politics Mr. Murphy is a democrat, and having the cause of education at heart, has served for nine years as clerk of school dis- triet No. 1. He is giving a large share of his attention to stock and also to grain rais- ing.
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LA JOHNSON, a respected farmer of Darwin township, residing on section 19, is a native of Sweden, born September 10, 1827, and is a son of John and Cecelia Johnson. He was reared among the wild native scenery of the land of his birth, and there grew to manhood. In 1849 he mar- ried Hannah Ingerman, daughter of Andrew and Ellen Ingerman, and in 1858, taking his wife and five children he bade adieu to the fatherland and sailed for America. He land- ed at New York July 1, 1858, but did not remain there, coming direct to Meeker county, Minn., arriving in Litehfield township in the month of August. He at once took up a claim of 160 acres of land in section 14, on the site of the present city of Litchfield. Here he built a house and commenced to de- velop his farm. Soon came the Indian troubles of 1862. He was warned, on the night of August 17th, that the redskins were out engaged in butchering the peaceful and defenseless settlers, and the next day, after helping bury the murdered people in Acton, and assisting in the inquest, he took his fam- ily to St. Paul, he and his eldest son then re- turning to their home. Still fearing the red- skins, the settlers were compelled to throw up a fortification around Mr. Johnson's honse. Some ten families were here at the time, all of the men working on the fortification. This
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was built of logs and rails and banked up inside with dirt and surrounded by a deep ditch. When the trouble was about over, Mr. Johnson, after losing everything he had went to St. Paul, where his family made their home for some eighteen months. After peace had once more settled upon the border, he brought his family back and has made this county his home ever since, ex- cept one year spent in the " Golden State." Mr. Johnson and his estimable wife are the parents of thirteen children, all of whom are living but one. They are-John, who mar- ried Anna Peterson, and is living in Liteh- field ; Ellen, the wife of Hon. Andrew Nelson, of Litchfield ; Andrew married Miss Josie Viren, and lives near his father; Sarah, Mrs. John Birch, living in Litchfield ; Mary, who married Henry Wilson, is a resident of Portland, Ore. ; Elizabeth, who is living at home with her parents; Emily, the wife of B. Peter Nelson, of Litchfield : Edward S., who owns the adjoining farm to his father's but lives at home ; Abram B., living in Port- land. Ore. ; Josephine, Nathan and Willie S., at home with their parents, and Annie, who died in 1869.
In 1869 Mr. Johnson sold his farm, and with his family removed to California, but one year later returned to Meeker county and purchased his present place. which con- tains 440 acres.
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ARK CATES. Foremost among the band of rugged pioneers that dared to penetrate through the " Big Woods " and to plant beyond their shade the banner of civilization, was the gentleman whose name heads this article. He came to Meeker county in 1856, and upon the filing of his claim in April of that year, went back to Maine, where he was married, and returned and settled upon his land that same year.
This property, which he still possesses, and where he now lives is located upon section 20, Kingston township.
Mr. Cates is a native of Washington county, Me., born December 22. 1827. and is the son of Mark and Mary (Parmer) Cates. Ile was reared among his native hills and there secured the education which is the lot of every New England boy, and was employed at agricultural pursuits in that locality until 1855. In the fall of that year, leaving the okl settlements, he pushed out into the great West, then for the most part an unknown land, and reached Minnesota in the spring of 1856, as related above.
On his return to Maine for his bride he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Cates, a native of the "Pine Tree State," and the daughter of Asa and Maria (Par- mer) Cates, the father a ship carpenter by trade. The lady comes of a race of hardy mariners that so abound in the ports of that iron-bound coast, two of her brothers being captains in the merchant marine to-day, while a third brother died while upon a voy- age. By their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cates have been the parents of ten children - Willie HI., Charles P., Hilman L., Mary A., now Mrs. Warren Saulsbury ; A. V., Lizzie, deceased September 6, 1877; Frank, who died September 5, 1877: Frederick ; Jennie; and Mand, who died March 30, 1886.
In his politics Mr. Cates affiliates with the republican party, believing that in its principles lies the surest guarantees for our national prosperity.
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ONAS RUDBERG, one of the former prominent citizens of the village of Das- sel, but now deceased, was a native of the far-away kingdom of Sweden, who came to Meeker county in 1869, and located in Dassel on a farm, with his brother John, now one
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of the influential citizens of the county. In 1872 Jonas entered the village and went into trade, and remained at the head of the drug business of Dassel until February, 1885, when, starting to visit his native land, died at Philadelphia, on his way to Sweden. His family are still residents of the village.
OHN RODANGE, one of the enterpris- ing and progressive business men of Litchfield, is a native of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, born among its vine clad hills. and near the classic waters of the beautiful river Rhine, February 25, 1839. Ile re- mained beneath the roof of his parents, Jolm and Mary (Leonard) Rodange, spending his time in acquiring an education in the schools and under private tutors until he had attained his sixteenth year, at which time he entered a linen factory, where he passed some three years. The succeeding twelve months were spent as book-keeper in the office of the same establishment, after which he entered the employ of a large government and railroad contractor as elerk, with whom he remained three years. Mr. Rodange, after serving nearly three years more as book-keeper and traveling salesman for a woolen mill, deter- mined to seek in the New World the field for his efforts toward a competency, and ac- cordingly, in 1864, crossed the ocean, landing in New York, from whence he proceeded direct to Chicago. From there he went into the Wisconsin pineries, spending some time at various occupations until 1866, when he took charge of a general merchandise store as head clerk, where he remained for a time, and then removed to Aurora, Ill. After a year passed in that city, he went to Cascade, Dubuque county, Iowa, where he operated a brewery for a year or two, and then took up farming. One year's experi- ence of that mode of life having convinced
him that it did not suit him, he sold out and removed back to Aurora, where he went into a wholesale liquor store. There he remained for five years, when his wife's health failing, he came to Litchfield, Minn., arriving there in the fall of 1876. He commenced in the saloon business, and remained in that line until 1882, when he sold out and established the Litchfield Bottling Works, where he is engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of carbonate beverages. Mr. Rodange was also engaged in the wholesale disposal of Milwaukee beer until 1887, which he carried on in connection with his other business.
Mr. Rodange was very active in the pro- motion of the woolen mill company and the erection of the factory, and was one of the first directors and first treasurer and secre- tary of the association. In 1888 he was made general manager, and holds that office and that of secretary at the present writ- ing. Ile is largely interested in real estate in Litchfield and its environs, owning one of the finest residences in the city, besides other property and 200 aeres of fine farm land.
Our subject was united in marriage May 9, 1867, with Miss Margaret Nickels, a native of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, and daughter of Peter and Susana (Michaelis) Nickels, of Aurora, III. By this marriage there have been born a family of seven chil- dren-Peter, who is a clerk in Stevens & Co.'s Bank ; Susie, John, Eddie, Henry, Mary and Lonisa.
Mr. Rodange has been prominently identi- with the growth and development of Litch- field's business interests, and stands high in the estimation of all. lle is a shrewd and careful business man, of the strictest integ- rity, and is a true representative of the best business element in this part of the State. A good portrait of Mr. Rodange will be found in another department of this ALBUM.
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