USA > Minnesota > Meeker County > Album of history and biography of Meeker County, Minnesota > Part 48
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Mr. Dorman has taken an active interest in publie matters, and has been prominently identified with the official history of the township, having held various local offices. In political matters he is a democrat. Dur- ing his early manhood Mr. Dorman followed wagon-making to some extent, but the prin- cipal portion of his life has been devoted to farming, and he is now engaged in diversified farming and stock-raising.
ASPER WRIGHT, an enterprising farmer of Collinwood township, living on see- tion 4, was born in Yancey county, N. C., January 4. 1837. and is the son of Jonathan and Mary (Bailey) Wright, both of whom were natives of the " same State." When he was a boy of six or seven years old, his parents removed to Russell county, Va ..
where he was reared to manhood. He re- mained at home until his marriage, after which he started for himself on one of his father's farms, where he remained until July 19, 1861, when he enlisted in Company HI, Fiftieth Virginia Infantry, and served until he was wounded and captured. On being paroled he returned to his home, where he remained until 1865, when he removed to Lawrence county, Ohio, but the following October, came to Collinwood township, this county. Ile took up a claim of 81 acres, on section 4, where he now lives. Ilis entire wealth, when he got here, was $33, his gun, a spider, and a dinner kettle, and his wife, and two children. He invested three dollars in provisions, and the balance of his money in a cow, and settled down to frontier life. Ilis brother, Waitsdel, and his family were with him, and, as the brother was siek, he was the only support of both families, and kept them going in venison brought down by his gun. For three years their only meat was of this variety. He is now well fixed, however, and enjoys life in a more comfort- able fashion.
Mr. Wright was married January 6, 1858,. to Miss Elizabeth Taylor, who was born in Russell county, Va., August 26, 1840, and is the daughter of William and Dycia Taylor. They have had a family of five children.
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ECKSTROM. Prominent among the leading citizens of Dassel village is ex- sheriff Ekstrom, of whom this sketch is writ- ten. His life, which began in Sweden, Jan- mary 20, 1845, has been a diversified one, his early years having been passed as a sea- man upon the boisterous waters of the North Atlantic, and the more placid Pacific Ocean, and in which profession he rose to the posi- tion of mate. Growing tired of the monot- ony of sea life he came to New York in
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1867, and in company with R. and G. Kal- ling, came directly through to Meeker county by way of St. Paul. During the winter of that year he followed hunting and trapping with the other two men, and in August, 1867, the three purchased 1100 acres of land, all of which they afterwards soll except 300 acres which Mr. Ekstrom kept for his own nse, and on which he carried on farming. This was on section 3, town of Greenleaf, and upon it he took up agricultural pursuits, and remained there until 1874, when he sold out, and removing to Litchfield, entered into partnership with A. T. Koerner, in the real estate business, under the firm name of Ekstrom & Koerner. He remained in this until 1881. Ilaving been elected sheriff of the county in 1877 he assumed the duties of that office and held it for six years, having been twice re-elected. After the termination of his official career he entered npon the handling of grain at Morton, where he re- mained until 1886 when he came to Dassel where he is engaged in the real estate busi- ness with Peter Johnson, although he still lives at the county seat.
Mr. Eckstrom was married in 1872 to Miss Helen Sauvror, a native of Sweden, and they are the parents of four children.
HEODORE EHLERS, of the firm of Shaw & Ehlers, millers and grain dealers, Litchfield, is a native of Mecklen- burg-Schwerin, Germany, born December 10, 1837, and is the son of Christian and Amelia Ehlers. He received his education in his native land, and there acquired some knowledge of the milling business. He came to the United States in January, 1854, while yet a young man, and followed the profession of a miller, through various parts of Wisconsin. until 1863, when he located in the city of Minneapolis. There he was employed in the
old Cataract mill, which was the first and, at. that time. the only merchant mill in the Flour City. After two years spent as miller in that establishment, Mr. Ehlers started the- Arctic, now St. Anthony mill, which he operated for about a year. The next two succeeding years were spent by him in the same line of business at Chaska, this State, after which he returned to Minneapolis,. where he entered the Washburn flour mill, now known as "B" mill. IIe started the Zenith and the Galaxy mills, and several others, and made his home there until 1877. At that time he came here, and in company with Mr. Shaw, purchased the Litchfield flouring mill, and established the present. business. Shortly after its purchase the new proprietors remodeled the mill, and changed it to the roller system, and improved it- throughout, making it first-class in every res. pect. In 1882 the firm erected their eleva- tor. They are also engaged in the flour and feed business in Litchfiekl.
Mr. Ehlers is one of the active members of the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Mason in IIennepin Lodge, No. 4. Ile is a member of Rabboni Chapter, No. 39, and Melita Commandery, No.17, of this place, and he and his wife both belong to Fidelity Chapter, Eastern Star degree, of which Mrs. Ehlers, formerly Miss Emma E. Elkins, is the- present secretary.
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ARTIN O. NESS, is a well-known farmer and stock-raiser, who re- sides on section 32. Litchfield township. Ile is a son of Ole Halverson and Mary Ness, and was among the first white children born in Meeker county, having first seen the light. on the old Ness homestead February 11. 1858. His father and mother were natives of Norway, and among the first settlers of Meeker county. and Martin was reared on
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the farm with them. In 1881 he purchased the Gunder-Olson farm, and commenced the business of farming on his own account. In 1883 he moved the old homestead house onto his place, and " batched " it there until Sep- tember 13. 1884, when he was married to Hannah Peterson, who was born in Norway, June 23, 1859. She is the daughter of Peter and Tisa Peterson Schonhovel. Martin Ness and wife have two children-Oscar Peter, born October 18, 1885 ; Charles Randolph, born January 31, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Ness are both members of the Norwegian Luth- eran Church of Grove City.
CARL O. NESS, of Litchfield township, is another sturdy young farmer, who was born Meeker county, the date of his birth being July 12, 1865. and his parents being Ole Hal- verson and Mary Ness. He is of that hardy Norse stock that make successful farmers and substantial citizens. He owns a quarter sec- tion of land adjoining the farms of his broth- ers Martin and Halver, and devotes his entire attention to farming and stock-raising,making his home with Martin. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Litch- field.
1 PATRICK McCAFFREY, one of the most prominent and well-to-do farmers and stock-raisers in the northern portion of the county, resides on section 22, Manannah township. Ile was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on the Sth of March, 1822, and is a son of Patrick and Ellen (McCarran) MeCaf- frey. Ile grew to manhood in his native land, acquiring the same habits of industry and frugality which are characteristic of the race from which he springs. Ilis parents died in the land of his birth, and in 1844 he started for America, landing in Boston, and went direct to Lowell, Mass., where he set- tled. Ile remained there until May, 1865,
when he came West to Meeker county, Minn., aud took a claim in Harvey township, where T. W. Dougherty now lives. He dug a cel- lar. got ready to buikl. and made some other improvements, after which he and his wife returned to Lowell, Mass., for the rest of the family and goods. During their absence a party jumped their claim, and Mr. McCaffrey lost his homestead. The family remained in Massachusetts one year, and then returned to Meeker county, Minn., and Mr. McCaffrey took a claim and built a house on section 30, in what is now Harvey township. After living there for one year they were burned out and lost all they had. When this mis- fortune overtook them they returned to Low- ell, Mass., and remained there until 1876, when they again settled in Meeker county, locating on section 22, Manannah township, where they still reside. Mr. McCaffrey has a valuable farm of 200 acres, where he car- ries on general farming and stock-raising.
In 1842 Mr. McCaffrey was married to Elizabeth Quinn, and they have been blessed with nine children, as follows-Patrick, Rose Ann, Owen, James, Thomas, Mary J., John, Mary E. and Charles II., all of whom are living except Patrick, Mary J. and Charles HI. The family are members of the Catholic Church.
Mrs. McCaffrey's parents were natives of Ireland. The father died in his native land, and the mother in Lowell, Mass.
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HARLES F. SPAULDING, a respected and prominent okl settler residing on section 22, Forest Prairie, and a successful farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Oxford county, Me., born on the 14th of April, 1850, and is a son of Benjamin F. Spaulding. His parents are still living in Forest Prairie town- ship, in which they were among the earliest settlers.
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While Charles was still young his parents removed to Scott county, and in 1866, they removed to Meeker county. When our sub- jeet was only fifteen years of age, in Febrn- ary, 1865, he enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and went into the service, and joined his company at Chattanooga, Tenn. He remained in the service until July 29, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Prairie du Chien, Wis. He then returned to Scott county, Minn., and the following year the family settled in Forest Prairie township, where they have since lived. Our subject owns 240 acres of land in all, and de- votes his attention to general farming and stock raising. He has been engaged in farm- ing most of the time since attaining his ma- jority, although for four years following 1880, he carried the mail from Litchfield to Forest City.
Charles F. Spaulding was married on the 1st of February, 1874, to Miss Josephine Vossen, a native of Germany, and a daugh- ter of Christian Vossen, a respected resident of Forest Prairie township. Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding have been the parents of five chil- dren, as follows-Joseph, Frank, Charles, Lydia and Julia.
In political matters Mr. Spaulding is a re- publican. He has taken an active interest in township and educational matters, and has been prominently identified with the official history of the town.
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M. OLSON, a respected and influen- tial farmer, who lives on section 21, Greenleaf township, was born in Sweden, on the 11th of February, 1839. His father died in Sweden, and he was brought up on a farm, learning the same habits of economy and industry which characterize a majority of that nationality. In 1867 he sailed for the United States and settled at Rock Island,
Ill. He remained there until 1873, when he removed to Meeker county, Minn., and pur- chased the farm in Greenleaf township where he now lives. He has been very suc- cessful in his farming operations, notwith- standing he has met with several reverses in losing or getting poor erops, but his industry has not been without its reward and he is now in comfortable circumstances. IIe now has 100 acres of land, substantial buildings and a good lot of stock.
Mr. Olson was married in 1876 to Johanna C. Johnson. In religious matters Mr. Olson is a member of the Church of God; and in political affairs he affiliates with the repub- lican party. His mother resides with him.
REN W. TOPPING, who is engaged in the hay and straw baling business in the village of Litchfield, was born in Greenleaf, Meeker county, November 11, 1860, and is the son Charles G. and Louisa M. (Briggs) Topping.
The father of the subject of this memoir, one of the pioneers of this county, was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., April 11, 1834, and made his home there, with his parents, until 1855. In the spring of that year he removed to Wisconsin, where he lived until the fall of 1857, when he came to this viein- ity, settling at Hutchinson, MeLeod county. The following spring he took up a claim on section 10, Cedar Mills township, which he commeneed improving as a farm. In Janu- ary, 1860, he returned to his native State, and was there united in marriage to Miss Louisa M. Briggs, and with her returned the following spring to his farm.
In 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Fourth Minnesota Infantry, and served until Sep- tember, 1864, when he was honorably dis- charged from the service for disability,
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owing to disease contracted in the army. Ilis family, at the time of the Indian out- break, having fled back to New York State, he, on receiving his discharge, went there and brought them back to Minnesota, and made his home upon his farm until 1872, when he sold out and came to the village of Litchfield, where he now lives. His wife, the mother of our subject, and three broth- ers and one sister, died February 14, 1888. She was a most estimable woman, an affect- ionate wife and indulgent mother. and who possessed the esteem of all with whom she ·came in contact.
Oren W. remained with his parents while they lived upon the farm, but some time after coming to Litchfield, commeneed to learn the barber's trade, which he followed for some time, after which he established his present business.
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ELS JOHNSON, a successful and en- terprising farmer and stock-raiser, re- -siding on section 32, Union Grove township, is a native of Sweden, born July 17, 1836, and a son of John and Maggie Hanson. Ilis early life was spent in his native land, where he learned the mason's trade, and acquired the habits of industry and frugality which are characteristics of the Swedish people.
In 1880 he came to the United States and made his way direct to Meeker county, Minn. Hle first located at Grove City, where he fol lowed his trade, and remained there for four years. At the expiration of that time he came to Union Grove township and pur- chased 160 acres of land on section 32, where he now lives. Ilis residence is a comfortable new frame buikling, and he is rapidly getting his farm in tillable condition.
Mr. Johnson was married in October, 1863, in Sweden, to Miss Hannah Peterson, a daughter of Peterand Hannah Trolson. She
was born in Sweden on the 18th of Decem- ber, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been the parents of five children, three of whom are dead. The two living children are as follows-Mary, born May 18, 1866; and John, born May 13, 1868. Mary married O. C. Olson, and now lives in Harvey town- ship, and John is still at home.
RANK MCLAUGHLIN, a prominent, energetie, and industrious farmer, liv- ing upon section 10, Manannah township, is a native of county Tyrone, Ireland, born March 16, 1828, and son of William and Aliee A. MeLaughlin. Ile remained beneath the parental roof umtil some twenty-three years of age, but foreseeing the utter impos- sibility of ever acquiring a competency in his oppressed native land, he came, like many of his countrymen, to the free shores of America to hew out his own fortunes. Af- ter spending about a year in the cotton mills at Lowell, Mass., he repaired to Boston and found employment in a rolling mill, where he continued for three years. The next seven years were passed in various places, en- gaged at various employments, and the spring of 1861 found him in Columbus, Ind. While there. April 16. of that year, he en- listed in Company K. Thirteenth Indiana Infantry, and was in the engagement at Rich Mountain, W. Va., July 11, 1861, and the balance of the campaign under Gen. George B. MeClellan. On March 23, 1862, he was with his regiment and took part in the first battle at Winchester. During the Chicka- hominy campaign he participated in the Seven Days' battles which terminated at Mal- vern Hill. From that time on Mr. MeLaugh- lin's fortunes were those of the regiment, one of the best known in the Indiana con- tingent in the Armies of the Potomac and Shenandoah. IIe served at the siege of Pe-
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tersburg, Va., in the spring of 1864, and was discharged at Indianapolis on July 2, 1864. IIe was three times wounded, once severely.
On his discharge Mr. MeLaughlin returned to Lowell and went to work in a factory there. In April. 1866, he came to Meeker county, and settled where he now lives. Ile has made all the improvements here and en- dured while doing so, all the hardships of early settlers. He was married on the 31st of July, 1864, to Miss Anna Breen, who has become the mother of four children-Wil- liam J., born June 30, 1865 ; Mary A., born January 10, 1868; Maggie E., born Febru- ary 21, 1871; and Alice C., born January 13, 1877.
EORGE B. STROBECK, a progressive farmer and stock-raiser living near the village of Litchfield, is a native of New York, and was born in St. Lawrence county, July 6, 1846. Ile was reared on the farm with his parents, Ilenry and Fanny Strobeck, and was primarily educated in the common schools of the county, and afterward re- ceived an academic course of four years in the St. Lawrence Academy. In September, 1868, he was united in marriage with Celes- tia M. Thomas. They have one child, Fred- erick, born December 4, 1872.
George continued the conduct of his father's farm some five years after his mar- riage, and then purchased a farm in the same neighborhood, which he operated until 1877, when failing health compelled him to make a change. In the fall of that year he came to Meeker county, and purchased the northeast quarter of section 12, Litchfield township, and the following spring brought his family on, and began life anew on a piece of land without a dollar's worth of improve- ments on it, and after having been reduced in health and circumstances by two years of
severe sickness. He now has one of the best improved farms in the township, and has fully regained his health and strength. His antecedents were remarkable for their lon- gevity, his grandfather being 107 years old at the time of his death, and his grandmother 103, while his great-grandmother is known to have reached the age of 120. Mr. Stro- beck is a model farmer, and devotes his en- tire attention to the improvement of his farm, and is getting a fair start in the intro- duction of high grade stock. The family are members of the Protestant Episco- pal Church. In politics Mr. Strobeck is a staunch republican, and in 1887 was elected to the board of supervisors on that ticket.
RANK J. TWOMBLY, one of the pro- gressive farmers of Cosmos township, living on section 23. is the son of James and Ellice Twombly, and is a native of McKeene county, Penn., born in 1857. He was reared among the hills, and amid the picturesque surroundings of his native county, until he was about six or seven years of age, when his parents removed to St. Anthony, this State, where they made their home until 1878, when they came to Meeker county and located on the place, now owned and occu- pied by Frank. The latter accompanied his parents here, and remained with them until 1884, when he purchased the homestead of his father, upon which he now carries on agrienltural pursuits. His father, after dis- posing of his property, emigrated to far-off Oregon, settled there and is still a resident of that State. Frank Twombly has held several minor local offices as a preparatory school to the more important ones which, no doubt, the future holds in store for him. Ile is a careful business man, and holds the respect of all who know him.
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ELS A. DRAXTEN is one of the thrifty and enterprising farmers of Acton township. Like so many of the residents of the western part of Meeker county, he is a native of Norway, born on the 6th of Oeto- ber. 1850, the names of his immediate ances- tors being Andrew F. and Mary Draxten. Ilis early life was spent in his native land, but in 1869 he sailed for the United States, and upon his arrival. came direct to Minneapolis, where he was employed in saw- mills. Seven years later he came to Meeker county and purchased 111 acres of land on seetion 17, in Aeton township, where he now lives. He has a good farm and valuable im- provements-a neat two-story house, 26x32 feet in size, with an addition 14x14, and also a substantial barn 2Sx54 feet in dimensions. His parents live with him, and he has four brothers who are Meeker county farmers, all of whom are married.
Mr. Draxten is a democrat in political mat- ters, and takes an active interest in all matters affecting the welfare of his town- ship. He is a well-posted and intelligent citizen, and is highly respected by his neigh- bors. He has held a number of township offices ; was elected supervisor in 1881 and served one term, and in March, 1886, was elected township treasurer.
ESSE V. BRANHAM, SR., one of the pioneers of this locality, was born April 18, 1803, in Scott county, Ky., and lived there until 1811, when he removed with his parents to Franklin, Jefferson county, Ind. Hle learned the millwright's trade there and fol- lowed it for some years, at one time owning a half-interest in the mill at Franklin, and an interest in the woolen mill at the same place. In 1857 he removed to Meeker county, and took up a claim in the town of Litchfield, where he made his home until the
tragic days of the Indian outbreak in 1862, when he took his family to a place of seeur- ity, and, although then nearly sixty years of age, returned to help defend the country. Hle it was that volunteered to ride to the State capital, with the demand of the settlers for help, a service of danger and fatigue, as the road then was nearly one Inindred miles long. After fulfilling his duty here he went to Minneapolis, where his family were and and there spent the winter. In the spring of 1863, he and his family returned to Forest City, and two years later to the old home- stead. In 1864 he was elected to the office of county treasurer, and served for six years. In 1874 Mr. Branham sold his farm and moved to the village of Litchfield, where he now resides. He was married Decem- ber 21, 1821, to Miss Mary Butler, and they have been the parents of eight children, four of whom are living, namely-Jesse V. Jr., William, Mrs. Gullet, and Mrs. E. A. Campbell. Mrs. Branham died June 12, 1888, at Litchfield.
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ICK BAUER. The subject of this bi- ography, a respected and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 7, Forest Prairie township, is a native of Prussia, Germany, born on the 20th of March, 1853, and a son of Goodheart and Mary (Earnest) Baner. In 1865 the family sailed for the United States, and after a voyage lasting for forty days they landed at New York City, and at onee proceeded by way of .St. Paul to St. Cloud, in Stearns county, Minn., where they were among the first settlers. They settled on a farm about nine miles from St. Cloud, and that was the home of the parents until the time of their death. Goodheart Bauer and wife were the parents of a large family of children, the names of their offspring being as follows-
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Lena, Mary, Lizzie, Gertrude, Lucy, Katie, Peter, John Peter, Michael, Niek, Matt and Hobart.
Nick Bauer, the subject of our present sketch, was married on the 14th of Septem- ber, 1879, at Minneapolis, to Miss Lizzie Fenniman, a native of Germany. She be- came the mother of one child, a girl named Mary, and the mother died in June, 1880.
Mr. Bauer's present wife was formerly Miss Mary Rouch. They were married at St. Nicholas, Stearns county, on the 9th of November, 1882. They are the parents of two living children, named Anna and Peter.
In political matters Mr. Bauer affiliates with the democratic party. The family are exemplary members and active supporters of the Catholic Church.
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R ICHARD DOYLE, a progressive and wide-awake farmer of Darwin town- ship, has his home on section 10. He is a native of Upper Canada, born about the year 1836, and is the son of Terence and Margaret Doyle, who were natives of the beloved but down-trodden island of Ireland. Richard remained for many years in his Canadian home engaged in tilling the soil, for he was always a farmer until 1867, when he came to the States and settled in Meeker county, where he now lives, and where he has con- tinued to make his home ever since.
While living in Canada he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Enright, who bore him nine children, of whom the following six still survive- Michael, John, James A., Richard T., Mary and Terence. Their oldest child, Terence, died in Canada, as did Pat- rick, in 1867; Margaret died here April 14, 18SS, and is buried in Darwin.
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